Jacob is not coming back with us to Gambia. He is having a whale of a time meeting various family members and so decides to stay a bit longer. We are a bit worried because we have no idea how we are getting back. We had a stroke of luck on the way to Dakar in that we got a ride the whole way. We know there is no direct bus to the ferry in Barra but Jacob is quite nonchalant…

Jacob’s family welcomed us with open arms. At the car dealership we met Laurent and Janet, and then when we got back to the house we met the other two siblings, Angelique and Thomas. We also met their parents, otherwise known as Tante and Oncle. Like I said the house was huge. The neighbourhood felt very safe and there were always children playing outside, as well as groups of adults congregated having a natter.

I had started my period on Friday night and did not still expect to be bleeding too much, but I was. Whilst sitting in this man’s car waiting to board the ferry it occurred to me that it might be a great idea for me to use the toilet, as who knows when I would get to use on again. There was a public toilet not too far from the car, so that was where I headed.